The NBA All-Star Game is renowned as one of the most fun weekends in all of sports.
And NBA legend and current TNT broadcaster Charles Barkley wouldn’t be the first person to be accused of being drunk during the weekend’s festivities. However, he may have been the first broadcaster to be accused of such a feat by a colleague while live on air.
The exchange started during the NBA All-Star Game Draft, in which Barkley lauded Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James‘ roster-building skills.
Charles Barkley drunk as hell pic.twitter.com/CJOQz8xdLH
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) February 20, 2023
“Ain’t no bad picks today, all these guys are great,” Barkley said in seemingly slurred speech.
Shaquille O’Neal asked the obvious, “Why does it sound like you’re drunk? You alright?”
“No man, it’s my mic,” replied Barkley.
“No, it ain’t the mic, it’s you,” O’Neal laughed. “What the hell are you drinking?”
“No, it’s my mic, I got a delay,” Barkley said.
“Always blame it on the equipment,” host Ernie Johnson interjected.
“No that’s you, you’re drunk,” O’Neal said, laughing. “I want to thank Patron for sponsoring Chuck.”
That’s when fellow analyst Kenny Smith reminded everyone that Utah, the location of the game, is a “dry state.”
Whether Barkley was sober or not is not officially known. However, the NBA world was quick to react to the scene:
speaking in an arena/stadium takes training, even if you’ve been broadcasting for years!
this is the only obscure thing i’m good at so maybe i’ll start a company called “Greg’s Don’t Sound Drunk Program” and save famous people from embarrassment.
it happens all the time! https://t.co/XtzfXsaASA— Greg (@GregMonahan) February 20, 2023
Yeah, now I’m thinking he is drunk. https://t.co/YiPQJivYqJ
— The Whole Delivery (@TWDTV1) February 20, 2023
Do not question the Shaq
— Drew צבי ✡️ (@Twitagra_DM) February 20, 2023
Charles Barkley was deff drunk last night 😂
— Stackz (@354Stackz) February 20, 2023
Charles Barkley gotta be drunk. The whole TNT crew as well
— Luke Young (@announcesixers) February 20, 2023
